A few weeks ago, a hushed wonder fell upon the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. It was the result of "Fratres," a subdued and spiritually tinged work from 1977 by the Estonian composer Arvo Part. The piece returns to the area this afternoon, in a version for violin and piano, as part of a recital by Jill Levy and Margaret Kempmeier of the Saratoga Chamber Players. Also on the bill are works by Beethoven, Stravinsky and Schumann. 3 p.m. today, United Methodist Church, 175 Fifth Ave., Saratoga Springs. $12-$18. 584-1427

Classical music from Eastern Europe is the theme of the fifth annual Youth Movements Festival. A concert by Capital Trio, the ensemble-in-residence at University at Albany's Performing Arts Center, kicks things off Wednesday with a program that includes works by Beethoven, Smetana and Dvorak. On Saturday, UAlbany faculty member Duncan Cumming will offer a master class on piano music across the centuries for the Marian Brown Day of Scholarship. The festival's grand finale, on Feb. 10, features works by Bela Bartok performed by pianists from across the Capital Region. The festival is sponsored by UAlbany's Department of Music. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; 1 p.m. Saturday and Feb. 10. $4-$8 Wednesday; free Saturday and Feb. 10. Performing Arts Center, UAlbany Uptown campus, 1400 Washington Ave., Albany. 442-3997; http://bit.ly/TxOTyn

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THEATER

In "The Pillowman," a hapless writer is arrested after the authorities notice that his grisly short stories almost always include violence against children. The subject matter isn't what gets the writer in trouble. It's that his stories contain odd similarities to a number of bizarre child murders in his town. Written by Irish playwright Martin McDonagh ("Seven Psychopaths," "In Bruges"), the 2003 play won rave reviews in London and on Broadway. Saratoga County-based Channel Z Productions will stage its version of the play this week. Irma Zehr directs the play, which stars Austin Zehr-Scibilia as the writer. 1:30 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, $12-$15. Caffe Lena, 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, 583-0022; http://www.caffelena.org

If you watched Saturday morning cartoons in the 1970s, you can't help but remember "Schoolhouse Rock!" The Emmy Award-winning animated shorts, which aired on ABC, are simply too catchy to forget. Remember "Conjunction Junction" or "I'm Just A Bill?" And more than a few folks learned what adverbs and interjections are watching. The series was revived in the 1990s, a revival that included "Schoolhouse Rock Live!," a musical that opened in Chicago in 1993 and has since become a popular play for community theater. Broadway Upstate will stage "Schoolhouse Rock Live Jr." — a shorter version of the play adapted for younger actors — this week. 7 p.m. Friday & Saturday. $15. Charles R. Wood Theater, 207 Glen St., Glens Falls. 874-0800; http://www.woodtheater.org

MUSIC

Ben Frost revels in playing with pitch and volume while pumping out a wall of sound that falls somewhere between punk, metal and classical minimalism. The Iceland-based experimental music composer/producer serves up a guitar-based aural assault, blasting guitars, drums and laptops through walls of speakers. Frost's latest album, 2009's "By The Throat," won rave reviews from the likes of Wire Magazine and London's New Music Express, which called it "a hollow, unforgiving, brutal yet utterly beautiful record." Frost will perform music for his new album when he comes to the Capital Region this week. 7:30 p.m. Thursday. $13-$18. EMPAC, 110 Eighth St., Troy. 276-3921; http://www.empac.rpi.edu

FAMILY FUN

Several state agencies will welcome the start of Black History Month and honor the contributions of African-Americans at the atate Interagency Black History Month Kickoff Celebration. The annual event is sponsored by the state's Office of General Services, the State Museum, the Department of Correctional and Community Supervision, the Education Department and the Department of Health. Three people and an organization will be honored with the state African American Public Service Award during the ceremony. The national theme for Black History Month is "At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality: The Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington." 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Free. Clark Auditorium, State Museum, Madison Avenue, Albany. 474-5877; http://www.nysm.nysed.gov

WORDS AND IDEAS

Tony Award-nominated actor Colman Domingo knows what it's like to be a hit on Broadway. He also knows what it's like to grow up on the tough streets of West Philadelphia. Domingo will talk about both when he delivers the 17th annual Burian Lecture this week. He will also host an informal afternoon seminar. The actor received a 2011 Tony nomination for his role in "The Scottsboro Boys." His award-winning off-Broadway play, "A Boy and His Soul," is about growing up in West Philadelphia. Domingo starred in Broadway's revival of "Chicago," and has appeared in several films, including "Lincoln." 4:15 p.m. seminar; 8 p.m. reading and lecture. Monday. Free. Assembly Hall, Campus Center (4:15 p.m. seminar); Recital Hall, Performing Arts Center (8 p.m. lecture), UAlbany Uptown Campus, 1400 Washington Ave., Albany. 442-5620; http://bit.ly/UqBNBb